A cido-proteolytic en zym es in the t a n n i n g in d ustry. C. G o r i n i (Zymologica, 1930, 5 , 41— 46).—
The use of dung or glandular (pancreatic) enzymes for
the treatm ent of hides after unhairing may be advan
tageously replaced by th a t of the author’s acido-proteo
lytic enzymes, which are capable of carrying out diges
tion in an acid medium. T. H. Po p e.
T anning and dyeing of fu rs. A. D o h o g n e (Boll.
Uff. Staz. Sperim. Ind. Pelli, 1930, 8 , 168—171).—After steeping for 1—2 days, with several changes of the water, rabbit skins are drained, centrifuged, defleshed, and, tanned. In the Ghent district non-sulphited quebracho is mostly used for tanning, b u t in Leipzig the skins are pickled and treated on the flesh side with fish oil. Use is sometimes made of formaldehyde, “ chrome,’' alum, oil, synthetic, or combined tanning. The tanned skins are greased, dried a t 35°, subjected to fulling etc, de
fatted, m ordanted with potassium dichromate, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, or chrome or potash alum, and decolorised by alkaline hydrogen peroxide, hypo
sulphite, e tc , often in presence of a catalyst. Dyeing, either of the whole skins or of the tips only, is mostly effected by means of phenols, amines, phenylamines, such as p-phenylenediamine e tc , which are capable of giving, on oxidation, colouring m atters absorbed by the skins. For dyeing to im itate beaver, use is made of a dye b ath containing various Ursol dyes, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. The dyed skins are w a s h e d in running water, centrifuged, and dressed on the flesh side with a solution of sodium chloride, glycerin, and yolk
of egg. T. II. P o p e .
C om parison of the quinhydrone and hydrogen electrodes in so lu tio n s containing tannin. B- L.
W a l l a c e and J. B e e k , j u n . (Bur. Stand. J. R es, 1930, 4, 737—745).—Measurements of the p a of solutions containing chestnut and quebracho tanning extracts and of systems consisting of leather and water in equi
librium have been m ade with the hydrogen and quin
hydrone electrodes and the results are c o m p a r e d graphic
ally. In the leather-w ater systems the value of pn«ii is slightly less than th a t of and although no general expression can be formulated for converting o n e series of results into the other, corrections can be applied to the quinhydrone electrode readings to obtain the corre
sponding hydrogen electrode readings in certain cases where the nature of the solution is known. In solutions of powdered chestnut-wood extract the values of p^m decreased in a smooth curve convex to the axis of com
position with increasing tannin content, whereas the values of ^ 11(Q) increased along a curve concave to the same axis under the same conditions. Similar results
were obtained for solutions of solid, ordinary quebracho extract, bu t the differences were more marked, Pmw decreasing from 4-95 w ith 0-25% of tannin to 4-75 with 7% of tannin and p nlQ) increasing from 4-1 to 5 • 25 in the same range. A . R. P o w e l l .
Im proved K ub elk a-N em ec sed im en tation method of determ in in g the in solu b le m atter in tannin a n a ly sis. V. Nemec and E. Ku d l a c e k (Collegium, 1930, 72—7 4 ; cf. B , 1929, 991).—An inverted bottle (diam. 9 cm.) from which th e bottom has been cut away is fitted with a rubber stopper through which pass a wide and a narrow glass tube. The upper end of t e narrow tube is bent through 180°, and its lower end is fitted with a rubber connexion, clip, and delivery tu e.
B r itis h C h e m ic a l A b s tr a c ts —B .
Cl. XVI.—Ag r i c u l t u r e. 783
The upper end of tlie wide tube is 1-0—1-1 cm. above the open end of the other tube. The analytical tannin solution is poured into the inverted bottle (any excess runs out through the wide tube), and the bottle is covered with a glass ; after being set aside for d—5 rain, particles
> 1}A will have settled below the m outh of the narrow tube. The supernatant liquor is then withdrawn through the narrow tube and an aliquot portion evaporated to
dryness. D . Wo o d r o f f e.
A ction of w ater on vegetable-tanned leather.
II. R esista n ce of th e collagen -tan n in com pound to h y d ro ly sis on lon g w ash in g. II. B . M e r r i l l
(J. Amer. Leather Chem. Assoc, 1930, 25, 173—182;
cf. B , 1929, 567).—Vegetable-tanned calfskin samples were extracted first with chloroform, then in a W ilson- Kern extractor with distilled water for 1—-121 days.
Water, hide substance, and ash were determined in the original and the dried, extracted leathers, and from these results and th e weight of the leathers before and after extraction the am ount of tannin combined with 100 g. of hide substance was calculated. The amount of residual tannin calculated by means of the residual weight of leather was less th an th a t obtained by the analysis of the residue. After 65 days’ washing, the amount of m aterial removed thereby was so small th a t the residue must have been a tannin-collagen compound which was hydrolysed only to a negligible extent. In similar tests with vegetable-tanned hide powder similar results were obtained, but equilibrium was reached more quickly. The quebracho-collagen compound was more resistant to hydrolysis th an the oak-collagen, wrhilst the gambier-collagen was much less resistant. The same initial tannin content of the leather was obtained when the pelt or powder was tanned with a 2% solution as with a 4% solution of tannin, bu t less resistance to hydrolysis was shown by the product tanned in the stronger solution. The initial ratio of tannin to hide substance was increased by increasing the time of tannage. Hide substance combines irreversibly with a limited am ount of tannin, after which it combines with more tannin, which is removable by washing, the amount depending on the am ount originally fixed by the leather and on the kind of tanning material used.
D . Wo o d r o f f e.
Skin- and b one-glues. H. M a ie r - B o d e (Kunst- dlinger- u. L eim -Ind, 1929, 26, 327—329, 339—341, 351—354 ; Chem. Z e n tr, 1930, i, 927).—I t is confirmed that the viscosity of fresh glue liquor is smaller than th at of a sol of equal concentration prepared from the solid m ateria l; it is considered that, on drying, reaggre
gation of the glutin takes place. Skin and bone glues are conveniently tested by determining the viscosity of a 17-75 or 20% solution a t 30° and 40°. A modification of Ostwald and Kohler’s test differentiates skin glue from bone glue. A. A. E l d r i d g e .
Colour lakes. Cl a y t o n.—See X III.
Pa t e n t s.
Im parting a blue colour to leather p olish . S. H.
Do n n in g t o n ( B .P . 330,014, 7.3.29).—Ferric ferrocyanide is well stirred into the usual mixture of oils and fats (except linseed oil) in the liquid or semi-liquid state.
[Stat. ref.] H. Ro y a l- Da w s o n.
D epilating hides and sk in s. M. B e r g m a n n
(U.S.P. 1,765,199, 17.6.30. A ppl, 27.7.25. GefJ 12.2.25).—See B . P . 247,826 ; B , 1926, 377.
D ehairing hides and sk in s and preparing th em for tanning. C. J. M. M. L e P e t i t , Assr. to R o h m &
H a a s Co. (U.S.P. 1,767,536, 24.6.30. A ppl, 21.5.26.
F r , 18.4.25).—See B.P. 250,907 ; B , 1926,1022.
Preparation of gelatin . A. P a n s k y (U.S.P. 1.761.362, 3.6.30. A ppl, 14.12.23. F r , 24.11.23).—See B.P.
221,702 ; B , 1924, 956.
A dhesive agent (B.P. 328,908).—See III. B leach
ing of sk in s etc. (B.P. 310.030). T reatm en t of fur (B.P. .330,598).—See VI.
XVI.—AGRICULTURE.
“ Build-up and break-down ” of soil zeolites as influenced b y reaction. P. S. B u r g e s s (Arizona Agric. Exp. Sta. Tech. B ull, 1929, No. 28, 101—135).—
The base-exchange capacity of many arable soils can be increased by treatm ent with solutions of alkalis or alkali salts, the increase being closely proportional to the hydroxyl-ion concentration of the solution. The zeolitic complex can be partly (1-2—18-4%) broken down by leaching with relatively large amounts of dilute solutions of organic acids (including carbonic). Appre
ciable amounts of hydrogen zeolite were formed. The break-down was more rapid and complete if solutions of aluminium chloride or sulphate were used. I t is probable th a t active build-up of soil zeolites takes place largely in the calcareous soils of arid and semi-arid regions where alkaline soil solutions prevail, and th a t disintegration is more common in the more or less acid soils of humid regions. C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s ^
Com parison of so il-lim in g m aterials. A. T.
W i a n c k o , G. P. W a l k e r , and S. D. C o n n e r (Indiana Agric. Exp. Sta. B u ll, 1929, No. 329, 3—24).—Ground limestone and marl are preferred for Indiana sandy loam and silt loam. The coarse limestone particles have a definite, although delayed, action. Moderate applica
tions affect the acidity of the surface layer only.
Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.
Im p overish m ent of forest so ils b y u se of the litter. A. N ë m e c (Forstarchiv, 1929, 497—503 ; Bied. Z en tr, 1930, 59, 257—258).—Low proportions of nutrients in many forest soils are attributed to the annual removal of mineral m atter in the forest litter. In this respect the available potash is least affected.
A. G. Po l l a r d.
P hosphoric acid content of forest h um us so ils.
A. N e m e c (Forstwiss. Z e n tr, 1929, 721—732; Bied.
Z e n tr, 1930, 59, 247—248).—The citric-soluble phos
phate content of forest soils is generally smaller than th a t of similar arable soils. The humus layer of forest soils is the most abundant source of easily soluble phosphate, and in lower layers there is a general parallel
ism between the citric solubility of phosphates and the humus content. The humus layer under pines has a relatively low citric-soluble phosphate content. The impoverishment of forest soils by removal of the débris
of leaves etc. for litter is emphasised.
A. G. Po l l a r d
B r itis h C h e m ic a l A b s tr a c ts — B .
784 C l. X V I.— Ag k i o u l t u b e,
N utrient contents of Rhineland s o ils. G. H a g e r , (Landw. z. Rheinprovinz, 1929, No. 47 ; Bied. Zentr!
1930, 59, 25G—257).—A survey of Rhineland soils is recorded. The productivity of soils is not governed by the n utrient content alone, but is dependent on many other factors, notably the proportions of clay and humus, tilth, soil depth, and climatic conditions. W ith due consideration of these factors, the Neubauer test gives valuable information as to soil fertility.
A. G. Pollard. Determ ination of the nutrient requirem ent and inoculability of so ils b y N ik la s ’ A zo to b a cter m eth od. L. K r e y b ig (Forts, landw , 1929, 4 , 12 • Bied. Z en tr, 1930, 59, 253—256).—Growth of Azoto
bacter in soils leads to increased citric solubility of the phosphates. In soils deficient in phosphate Rhenania phosphate increased the growth of Azotobacter to a greater extent than did superphosphate, particularly in humus soils with low exchange acidity. The application of phosphatic fertilisers increased the nitrogen fixation in phosphate-deficient soilST The Azotobacter method is considered satisfactory for the practical determination
of the phosphate requirement of soils.
A. G. Pollard. D eterm ination of nitrogen in so ils b y the M its- cherlich vegetation m eth od. A. Y. S am oilova (Udobr. Urozhai, 1929, 355-358).—Mitscherlich’s equation, log (A — Y) — log A — cx, where Y is the yield, A the possible maximum yield obtained with an optimum quantity of the factor studied, c the activity coefficient of the n utrient factor, and x the amount of nutrient added, was employed. In determining the nitrogen resources of the soil the use of a coefficient calculated from experimental data gives more tru st
worthy results than th a t of Mitscherlich’s coefficient 0-122. The establishment of the working formula; is described. C h em ical A b s t r a c t s .
“ K alkam m onsalp eter.” 0 . N o l t e and H. Munz- b e r g (Mitt. Deut, landw. G es, 1930, 45, 37 ; Bied.
Z e n tr, 1930, 59, 258—259).—Comparison is made of the efficiency of “ Kalkammonsalpeter,” ammonium sulphate and sodium nitrate in field trials. In dry seasons sodium nitrate was particularly effective, but in wet summers when leaching losses were considerable, ammonium sulphate proved the more profitable. “ Kalkammon
salpeter” is preferable to either of the above for cereals and root crops. A. G. P o lla r d .
Changes in so il reaction produced b y am m onium potash, and potash am m oniu m superphosphate’
(Superphosphat, 1929, 5, 282 ; Bied. Z e n tr, 1930, 59, 248—249).—The increasing acidity of many German soils is more definitely attributable to the normal processes of cropping and leaching than to the use of physiologically acid fertilisers. Systematic limino- 0r marling is preferable to the withholding of valuable if slightly acid, fertilisers. A. G. P o l l a r d .
^nf ^ ? Ir?c e r o a s t in g r a w p h o s p h a t e s o n t h e a v a x la b d ity o f p h o s p h o r ic a c id . N . D . Smirnov
(Udobr. Urozhai, 1929, 359—363).—High-grade plios-
^231~ 301'/° P2° 5^showed a slight increase of citrate- soluble phosphorus on roasting. P o t experiments with
oats on podsol and degraded chernozem revealed no superiority. Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.
O btaining a concentrated trip le fertiliser. N. E.
Pe s t o v and E. A. Ka l a b e k o v a (Udobr. Urozhai, 1929, No. 7, 421—425).—For the preparation of a fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but little chlorine, the optimal mol. ratio of phosphoric acid : potassium chloride : ammonia is 1 : 1-25 : 1.
This gives a salt of composition KH„POd 78-63, NH4H 2P 0 4 19-73, KC1 1-64%.
Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.
A patite and nepheline rock of the Khibin Mts.
as a direct fertiliser. I. P. S o m o v (Udobr. Urozhai, 1929,412—418).—Soils of^)H 4-4—4-1 responded, and of Pa 5-3—5-2 did no t respond well, to treatm ent with apatite. Addition of ammonium sulphate rendered the apatite more effective. The nepheline is a satisfactory source of potassium. C h e m i c a l A b s t r a c t s .
F ertilisin g action of bone m ea l. E . T k u n in g e r
and F . K e l l e r (Landw. Jahrb. Schweiz, 1929, 43, 931—945 ; 6 hem. Z e n tr, 1930, i, 1028).—Bone meal, preferably defatted, gives good results only on acid soil.
W ith one application raw bone meal gave 0-33, or with a double q uantity 0-5, of the increased yield afforded by superphosphate. The activity depends largely on the fineness of division. The value of bone-meal nitrogen is estim ated to be 50% of th a t of n itrate nitrogen.
A. A. El d r id g e.
Conditions of application and the effect of phos
phate on ch ernozem . V III. R eversion. M. A.
E g o r o v (Udobr. Urozhai, 1929, 401—412).—The sedi
m entation of soil extracts on treatm ent with calcium carbonate followed by carbon dioxide, with sodium phosphate and calcium salts, was studied. Various types of lime do no t act on soils in the same way.
Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.
Effect of fertilisers on the q uality of the juices of su gar cane. R. F . G a r c i a (Ann. Rep. Insular Exp. Sta. Porto Rico, 1929, 68—88).—In general, nitrogenous fertilisers gave the highest yields. Soluble manganese salts exercised a negligible effect.
Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.
Effect of nitrogenous fertilisers on pastures.
0 . No l t e, H. Mu n z b e r g, and H. Ko c h (Mitt. Deut.
landw. G es, 1929,44,385; Bied. Z e n tr, 1930,59,263).—
Results of m eat and milk trials on fertilised pastures are
recorded. A . G. Po l l a r d.
C om parison of the fertilisin g value of manure and m in eral fertilisers. S . V. S h t s c h e r b a (Udobr.
Urozhai, 1929, 41S—420).—Experim ents with sugar beet and potatoes are recorded. Values for the starch content of potatoes are : without manure or mineral fertilisers 14-4, with manure 14-6, with mineral fertilisers
18-45, with both 18-8% . C h e m i c a l A b s t r a c t s .
C om posting barnyard m anure w ith sulphur and rock phosphate. W. G. F r i e d m a n n (Georgia Agric.
Exp. Sta. B a ll, 1929, No. 154, 1—14).—Untreated composts suffered a greater loss of nitrogen than did those containing su lp h u r; with 2% S only 10% or less of the nitrogen was lost. Superphosphate was more effective than sulphur in preventing loss of nitrogen from liquid
B r itis h C h e m ic a l A b s tr a c ts —B .
Cl. X V I I . — Su g a r s ; St a b o h e s ; Gu m s. 7 S 5
manures. P a rt of the phosphorus of a manure-rock phosphate-sulphur mixture becomes available during
composting. Chemical Abstracts.
M anuring and crop quality in root crops. K le e - b e r g e r (Superphosphat, 1929, 5, 74—76 ; Bied. Z en tr, 1930, 59, 259—260).—The effect of unbalanced fertilisa
tion on the quality of sugar beet and potatoes is examined.
In this respect nitrogenous fertilisers are of first im port
ance. The use of phosphate fertilisers in amounts based on Neubauer trials may be unsatisfactory, since this method of examination allows of no consideration of quality. There is no foundation for the opinion th a t phosphate fertilisers are of minor importance for potatoes.
A. 6 . Pollard. M anurial tria ls w ith p otassiu m am m oniu m superphosphate on root crops. D e n sc h (Super
phosphat, 1929, 5, 53; Bied. Z en tr, 1930, 59, 259).—
The efficiency of the nitrogen of “ Kali-ammon-super- phosphat ” is similar to th a t of the simpler nitrogenous materials, and the fertiliser proved suitable for use on acid soils and for acid-sensitive plants.
A. G. Pollard. Fineness of ground sulphur sold for dusting and spraying. L. R . S t r e e t e r and W. H. R a n k in (New York State Agric. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull. No. 160, 1930, 16 pp.).—A consideration of methods, including a description of a micro-projection method, of determining the degree of subdivision of ground sulphur, together with details of an examination of five commercial brands.
E . Holmes. Supplem ents for copper fungicides. E. B. H o lla n d , C. 0. Dunbar, and G. M. Gilligan (Mass. Agric. Exp.
Sta. B ull, 1929, No! 252, 94—112).—The efficiency of insoluble copper fungicides depends largely on the degree of dispersion and other physical characteristics.
“ Soluble copper ” is not a criterion, since various organic compounds produce filterable copper of low activity.
The efficiency of the spray is increased by wheat flour, gelatin, soap, or tannic acid. Chemical Abstracts.
Effect on plants of cyanide fum igation follow ing spraying w ith Bordeaux m ixtu re. O. B u t l e r and R. R. J e n k in s (P h y to p a th , 1930, 2 0 , 419—429).— Injury to foliage follow ing th e fum igation w ith hydro
cyanic acid of p lan ts previously sprayed w ith B ordeaux m ixture depends on th e proportions of lim e and copper sulphate used in preparing th e latter. Exposure of various B ordeaux m ixtures to hydrocyanic acid showed th at no cupric cyanide w as form ed w hen th e ratio of copper sulphate to quicklim e used was 1 : 0 - 2 and in negligible am ounts on ly w hen th e ratio was 1 : ^>4. In a 1 : 0 • 2 m ixture insoluble cuprous cyanide w as formed, and in a 1 : 6 m ixture a soluble double cyanide. In m ix
tures between 1 :1 and 1 : 6 th e am ount of cupric cyanide form ed decreased and th a t of th e double cyanide increased w ith increasing proportions of lim e used. The double cyanide is injurious to foliage. A neutral Bordeaux mixture is the on ly ty p e su itable for use when cyanide fum igation is to follow . A. G. P o l l a r d .
T ank-m ixture m ethod of u sin g oil sp ray. R. H.
Smith (J. Econ. E n to m , 1930,23, 376—382).—Uniform pine oil-water mixtures m ay be maintained in spray tanks and in the spray by the use of suitable paddle
agitators revolving a t 200—250 r.p.m. More oil is retained by sprayed surfaces a t a distance from the nozzle th an close to it. The quantity of oil deposited is largely determined by the nature and quantity of the emulsifier used, soap causing a smaller deposit than other commonly used materials. The effect of an emulsifier in oil-water mixtures cannot be judged by its effect in other spray mixtures'. A. G. Pollard.
B orax as an insecticide for protecting seed.
H. H. S c h w a r d t (J. Econ. E n to m , 1930,23, 401—404).
—Powdered borax controlled the rice weevil when used a t the ra te of 10 oz. per bushel of grain, and the four- spotted bean weevil when 20 oz. per bushel of cow peas were used. Treated grain cannot be fed to cattle.
A. G. Pollard. Differentiation between good and poor germ ina- tive capacity of seeds b y chem ical m ean s. H. O.
P a e c ii (Diss. Agric.-Chem. Inst. Univ. Breslau, 1929 ; Bied. Z e n tr, 1930, 59, 268—270).—The germinative activity of seeds is closely related to their dehydrogenase activity. Of numerous colorimetric methods for the determination of the latter, the most satisfactory is th a t using m-dinitrobenzene. Comparative tests should be made on the same day with freshly-ground material.
A. G. Pollard. Seed treatm ents for the control of barley stripe.
C. S. R ed d y and L. C. B u r n e t t (Phytopath, 1930, 20, 367—390).—Results of trials with a number of mercurial fungicides are recorded and discussed. A. G. P o lla r d .
N itrophosphates. C a lca g n i.—See VII. Drinking w ater for cattle. M c L a c h la n .—See X X III.
Patents.
F ertilisers. A. A. J. and C. A. A. V ila in ( V ila in F ridres) B.P. 309,175, 2.4.29. F r , 7.4.28).—The product obtained by treating dolomite with nitric acid is claimed.
H. R o y a l-D a w so n . Product for prom oting plant grow th. R . A.
B a k e r and C. C. C a r p e n te r (U.S.P. 1,747,281, 18.2.30.
A ppl, 30.6.27).—The product consists of a mixture of an alkaline-earth carbonate (e.g., limestone or dolomite) and aluminium sulphate. H. R o y a l-D a w so n .
Freezing so ils b y m ean s of carbonic acid. H.
D e h o t t a y (B.P. 308,310, 20.3.29. B elg, 21.3.28).
Production of m ixed m anure containing p h o s
phoric acid and nitrogen. F. G. L i lj e n r o t h (U.S.P.
I,761,400, 3.6.^0. A ppl, 23.7.27. Swed, 13.8.26).—
SeeNB.P. 275,843 ; B„ 1927, 826.
XVII.— SUGARS; STARCHES; GUMS.
A bsorption of atm ospheric ox ygen b y lim ed cane juice. J. A. A m b ler (Ind. Eng. Chem, 1930, 22, 357—362).—Quantitative studies of the rates of absorp
tion of oxygen by cane and beet juices and pure sugar solutions containing up to 0-06% CaO, aerated under constant conditions a t the ordinary temperature, showed th a t cane tannin and invert sugar undergo oxidation under these conditions, with formation of calcium salts of organic acids and consequent lowering of alkalinity.
The rate of oxidation is greater a t high than a t low alkalinities. I t is concluded th a t under technical condi
tions of liming and defecation of cane juices considerable
B r it is h C h e m ic a l A b s tr a c ts —B .
78G C l. X V III.— Fe r m e n t a t i o n In d u s t r i e s.
oxidation must occur in view of the high tempera
tures employed, the common use of air for mixing the limed juices, and the high alkalinities which occur locally before the lime is uniformly mixed with the juice.
J. H . La n e. C om parison of so m e w h ite-su gar m eth ods.
J. H . La n e. C om parison of so m e w h ite-su gar m eth ods.